Parking Standards Ordinance Update

Parking takes up about one-third of land area in U.S. cities; nationwide, there are an estimated eight parking spaces for every car. Outside of parking a vehicle, parking spaces do not add much value to communities yet take up so much space, why?  

Parking requirements have a profound impact on how we build our city, how we move around the city, and the city’s overall health. Learn more about parking requirements and engage with the City of Petaluma in a multi-part discussion series on Petaluma parking standards and the way parking shapes our city.  

Petaluma is working to become carbon neutral by 2030. To do this, we will have to reduce our dependence on vehicles and the amount of land that is dedicated to parking them. Thus, we will be working with the community to update our parking rules to better align with broader city goals and community values. Additionally, we will also look at ways to increase transportation options to make getting around without a car easier. Alongside this effort, we will also be improving our roads to provide safer paths for walking and biking.  

One of the ways we shape our City’s dependence on cars is through our parking standards. These standards are dictated in Chapter 11 of our Implementing Zoning Ordinance (IZO) which is the document that describes the ways that new construction projects are designed. Parking standards not only shape our dependence on cars but also building design, the cost of housing, the overall health of the community, the way the City makes money, and even the way we socially interact with each other. Through discussions we will decide how we want to plan for vehicles and parking spaces and then staff will update the IZO and the new parking rules will be applied to future construction projects.

Another way we can reduce our dependence on cars is by finding ways to increase transportation options. In Planning terms, we do this with a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program. These programs help make sure new development is designed to make it easier for folks to get around without a car. TDM strategies will also be examined through this effort.  

For more information on the ins and outs of parking standards and transportation demand management programs view the Educational Materials section of this webpage.